Levar Stoney says mayor's role 'is to bring people together'

This week during its morning shows, NBC12 is interviewing the top candidates for Richmond's next mayor to discusses the issues that concern the city's voters.

On Wednesday, former Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney took on the issues of being transparent and how he'll transform City Hall.

On transparency

Stoney says that from day one, he promises to be hands-on, visible and transparent. He says that he will continue knocking on doors even after he's mayor.

"I want to be someone who will actually be seen," Stoney said.

Regarding a question about the baseball stadium on the Boulevard in which Stoney was involved, but not publicly known, he said his job is not to "grandstand" and take credit for everything that happens.

"My role is to bring people together," he said.

Transforming City Hall

Stoney says that fixing problems in Richmond's government starts with accountability. He also says that many employees are underpaid after working for decades with the city.

"We have to do things right the first time," he said, using fixing potholes as an example.

City resources

"We need to bring government to the people," said Stoney.

He said it's important for the mayor and other city officials to be visible no matter what part of the city they're in.